FAQ
+ How Does the Program Work?
What do I do as a volunteer?
Above all things that volunteers (Readers) do at the schools, they show that they care. On the day of Read-Aloud, 10-25 minutes before their reading session the volunteer arrives at school, and signs in to the school visitor log. The volunteer goes to the reading room, finds their table and binders, then reads through the books to get an idea of what emphasis they want to make while reading. A couple of minutes before the session is scheduled to begin, volunteers with student from the same classroom walk together to the classroom. During sessions, Readers and students read together; you establish between the two of you how much reading the child does on their own, and may revisit this pact regularly. We ask that children are not forced to read, nor do they read more than every other page. Readers are responsible for recording what books were read, how the child felt about the books and if it was the right reading or interest level for the kid. On Gift Book Day, you must also record which book(s) went home. At the beginning, middle and end of the year, the volunteer fills out an evaluation of the child’s reading and may conduct an interview. Readers also follow school rules for Contractors (linked). (During in-person Read-Aloud, volunteers are also responsible for recording what books went home)
How are books chosen for the kids?
Books are chosen by the coordinator based on the child’s interest and reading level. This is informed by teacher nominations, teacher feedback and most importantly: Reader recorded book logs.
What are gift books and how often do kids receive them?
“Gift books” are the books that students take home every other week, totaling between 14-16 books for students that are in the program for the full 24 weeks. Alternate students and students who leave the program early or join the program late also receive gift books, though the number varies.
What does this look like from a teacher or administrator viewpoint?
Teacher: Read-Aloud Coordinator contacts teachers in late August/early September to get teacher nominations and pass out Family Permission Slips (neon green paper) and Surveys (pink paper). Read-Aloud Coordinator sets the student schedule and disseminates it to teachers before Read-Aloud sessions begin in October. On Read-Aloud days, Volunteer Readers pick up students from classrooms and return them after approximately 30 minutes. During the school year, Coordinator maintains communication with teachers to relay concerns, convey observed break-throughs, etc. In late March or early April, Coordinator again contacts teachers to pass out year-end evaluation forms and family surveys (blue paper).
Administrator: School contracts for Read-Aloud (budgets in December – April of year before programming). A room is set aside for Read-Aloud use (needs two – three 1:05 hour blocks of Read-Aloud session time per day not during recess or lunch, plus set-up and clean up time, twice weekly). Read-Aloud administrators coordinate with WCCUSD Community Engagement to finalize contracts and approve/badge Volunteer Readers. WCCUSD issues Purchase Order number; Read-Aloud sends invoice to school, school signs invoice and sends to WCCUSD Finance Department. Read-Aloud starts in October, after the contract is approved and a quorum of Readers is approved. In early October, teachers or office staff share students’ demographic and reading data with the Coordinator. If schools cannot provide data, they will furnish Read-Aloud with student ID numbers, so that Read-Aloud can make a data request of the school district.
How are the schools chosen?
Schools are chosen by need (Title I or under-resourced school), by school administrator interest and commitment, and volunteer capacity.
What does this look like from a student’s point of view?
Regular Read-Aloud students are pulled out from class for scheduled reading sessions in the reading room on a weekly basis to read with the same volunteer at the same time and place, from October - April. Twice a month, students get to take home a gift book (and label it with their name on a Read-Aloud sticker book plate). Before winter break and the end of the program year, the student takes home an extra gift book. If a student misses a session, an Alternate student may be taken in their place. All regular Read-Aloud students should receive 14-16 books if they complete the program, all Alternate students should receive 3 books at the end of the year for being in the program.
How are kids selected?
Students are nominated and prioritized by teachers. If the family gives permission (signs Permission Slip on neon green paper), the child can become a Read-Aloud student. Students are assigned to volunteers and time slots based on when the teacher indicated that a child is free, teacher indicated priority, number of volunteers per session and number of permissioned students per classroom. We try to balance these factors and take approximately the same number of students from each classroom, leaving at least one student to be an alternate (student read to when regular students are unavailable) per classroom.
Can I sign my kids up?
No, students are nominated by teachers and adminstrators only. You can ask that your teacher nominate your child, then sign and return the permission slip, but contacting Read-Aloud directly will not put your child on the list of students.
I got a permission slip for my child to join the program – why should I say yes?
Teachers recommend Read-Aloud to improve reading comprehension and self-confidence. Read-Aloud matches regular students with an adult volunteer to read with them for 24 weeks during the course of a year (if completing the full program). Students in Read-Aloud read between 40 and 120 books in the program and choose 14-16 gift books to take home. The students often form strong bonds with their volunteer, because the volunteer’s attention is solely on them for half an hour every week.
My child’s teacher says that my child is an alternate – what does that mean?
Your child will not have a regularly matched volunteer Reader, and will instead go to Read-Aloud when a regular student is absent or another class is busy. We try to read with alternates at least once a year, and some are read to 8+ times. If a child drops out or another volunteer is added, your child has a chance to convert to a regular participant. Your child will still get books (we try to give Alternates books at reading sessions or at the end of the year).
+ How Do I Become A Volunteer?
Is this the right program for me?
Do you like reading to kids? Can you read in English at a 3rd grade level or above? Can you pass a background check for working with kids? Can you commit to reading in-person at a school for an hour a week from October to mid-May? If you said yes to all of these questions, we may be a match! Contact us for more information.
What are the steps needed for volunteering?
How do I get a Read-Aloud contractor’s badge with the school district?
Sign up to become a volunteer Reader! – Read-Aloud will send you the information for fingerprinting, TB testing and COVID-19 vaccination proof. When the Department of Justice returns the background check results to Read-Aloud and you have returned the TB results/COVID-19 proof to Read-Aloud, we will submit your name for district badging.
How do I get fingerprinted?
This changes depending on Live Scan site availability, but fingerprinting through the San Pablo Police Department is preferred. To make an appointment at the San Pablo Police Department (phone number and online sign-up form). Check for Alameda County or Contra Costa locations, $20-$35 is a reasonable coast. Fill out this form (or transfer the information in that form to the online form - note: just DOJ level of service is needed) and bring it with your ID to your appointment.
How do I get a TB test?
Contact your personal physician, or make an appointment to visit one of these sites: Lifelong Brookside (San Pablo), Lifelong Brookside (Richmond), Berkeley Free Clinic, etc
+ What Resources are Available for Volunteers?
Where can I find the Volunteer Handbook?
Our Volunteer Handbook is online.
What handouts did we receive at Orientation or Annual Conference?
In 2021-22 there were no handouts, but previous years handouts are in a Google Drive folder, see Conference Handouts
Do you have any tips for reading?
See our Handbook section on Reading with English Language Learners, which is applicable to all students. Also, you may search the internet for tips on Dialogic Reading, just remember not to interrupt the story more than once every two pages or so.
What forms are due and when?
Within a month of starting reading sessions with a regular student, please fill out Form 4 (form on lilac paper) and the Conversation Form 3 (on salmon paper, optional), Start section. In January, fill out the MIDDLE section of Form 4 and when student leaves the program or at the end of the program year, please fill out the End section of Form 3 (optional Conversations form) and Form 4. Also, please fill out the End of Year Volunteer Feedback Form 7, on goldenrod paper. Families appreciate it if you fill out a Notes to the Families Postcard that tells them how many books were read over the course of the year.
+ I'm a Volunteer with Questions about Procedures
When am I reading?
If you have been assigned a school, contact your Coordinator (Coronado@read-aloud.org, Dover@read-aloud.org, Downer@read-aloud.org, Montalvin@read-aloud.org, Washington@read-aloud.org) to confirm your assigned slot. Otherwise, contact the office at info@read-aloud.org
What do I need to bring to school with me?
There is nothing you need to bring along, except your willingness to volunteer. We will have your badges (unless you are a substitute and go to several other schools or need the ID badge for other school district sites). Any other printed information we will have available to you at the sites. As agreed to in the Contractor’s Service Agreement, cell phones and other personal items must be put away.
Where do I go when I come to school?
That varies with each school site. It is important to sign-in at the school office, but your Site Coordinator will communicate procedures at your school at the on-site training session.
What about holidays or changes in the regular schedule?
Please check your yearly Read-Aloud calendar. The Coordinators will also tell you or post a memo or message board when you come in, and the website calendar is updated as well.
Who do I contact if I can’t come to read on my scheduled day?
Please phone your Site Coordinator as soon as you know you must change your schedule. Texting usually works better on days your Coordinator is working. Children and teachers count on your regular appearance so try to be consistent about your reading or help us to find you a substitute reader as soon as possible.
What is the best way to pick up my students from their classrooms?
If several students are pulled from the same class for the same session, try to go with the other volunteers at the same time to minimize disruptions. On the first day, say that you are from Read-Aloud, to pick up "{List students}," the teacher will usually express a preference of how you are to pick up the students in the future. Each teacher has a preference, and since we are guests in their schools, we like them to tell us the method that is least disruptive to their teaching styles.
What if I get paired with a student with behavior problems? Or we just don’t “connect”?
Please talk to your Site Coordinator, and the question will be raised with the student’s teacher. Often it takes several meetings to get to know the students and some are especially shy or may have other complications that make it hard for them to relax and trust you as a friend. We have had a few occasions when a reader and a child just don’t enjoy their sessions together— this is usually due to Read-Aloud not being able to provide the resources the child requires, and a change is made without anyone feeling uncomfortable. Don’t be afraid to speak up--usually it can be resolved for all concerned.
How do I communicate with a teacher?
Please don’t interrupt teachers in class! Remember: communication between volunteer and teacher should go through the Coordinator. You may write a note which the Site Coordinator will leave in the teacher’s mailbox or express your concern on the sheets in the student’s binder. Teachers may also leave notes for you in the binders on your reading day.
May I buy books for the program?
If you would like to contribute books in memory of someone special or just to add some favorite book titles of yours to the program, please talk to the Site Coordinator. We usually ask that you buy at least a copy per site, for equity reasons. Dr. Nye preferred to buy most of the books, but she saw the value in suggestions and input from the readers and teachers and so do we. Each school has a unique population with specific interests and needs, and it’s best to check with the Site Coordinator where you read. We welcome all suggestions and comments. We also have an Amazon Wish List. If you would like to donate a book, the list has great suggestions.
+ How Else Can I Help?
I’m a high school or middle school student – what can I do to help?
You can be a summer program reader, an office volunteer (usually book stickering and organization in June and December), or help us recruit regular volunteers at outreach events.
I can’t commit to weekly reading, can I still be a volunteer reader?
Yes! We always need Substitute Readers, to fill in for Readers who cannot make their regularly assigned reading sessions. Please indicate at which schools and times you are generally available to be a Substitute. You still need to go through the approval process and go to the Conference of Orientation.
Can I donate by check?
Yes! Make checks payable to “Read-Aloud Volunteer Program” and mail to 13857 San Pablo Avenue, San Pablo CA 94806.
Can I donate: books?
Yes! Read-Aloud accepts book donations. We prefer children’s books that are in good condition, but have partnerships with other nonprofits that may have uses for older books. Donated books may be used for core book collections, as gift books or outreach books. Please email Read-Aloud at info@read-aloud.org or call at (510) 237-0735 to discuss appropriateness and arrange a drop-off or collection. We also have an Amazon Wishlist.
Can I donate: goods?
Yes, please email Read-Aloud at info@read-aloud.org or call at (510) 237-0735 to discuss appropriateness and arrange a drop-off or collection. We love personal protective equipment (face mask, face shields, and disposable gloves), disinfectant (hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes or spray and paper towles), office supplies and gifts we can give all the students (lots of ~250). Encouragement gifts such as stickers are also appreciated.
Can I donate: used ink?
Yes, Read-Aloud turns in used printer cartridges and toner for Staples credit. Please email Read-Aloud at info@read-aloud.org or all (510) 237-0735 to arrange a drop-off or collection.
Will I get a donation receipt?
If you donate by cash, check or goods, you will receive a donation receipt from Read-Aloud. If you donate online through Network For Good, Benevity or YourCause, donation receipts will be issued by the company you donate through, not by Read-Aloud (though we will send a thank you letter!).
Does Read-Aloud have an AmazonSmile listing?
Yes, see Read-Aloud’s AmazonSmile page.
Does Read-Aloud have an Amazon Charity listing?
Yes, see Read-Aloud’s Amazon Charity Listing.
Does Read-Aloud have a PayPal Giving Fund listing?
Yes, see Read-Aloud’s PayPal Giving Fund Listing. No fees are charged to either you the giver or Read-Aloud as the receipient. Note: PayPal Giving Fund provides you with the receipt (they are the charity you give to, but they distribute the monies to Read-Aloud after a few weeks).
Does Read-Aloud accept employee giving plans?
Yes! We have accepted employer matches from Chevron through YourCause, Google and AirBnB through Benevity and Macy’s Gift Matching through their own program.
Is Read-Aloud on Benevity?
Yes, Read-Aloud is on Benevity, search for our EIN: 91-1839165
Is Read-Aloud on YourCause?
Yes, Read-Aloud is on YourCause, search for our EIN: 91-1839165
How can I donate a portion of my RMD (required minimum distribution from a retirement account)?
2018 Tax law and Charitable Deductions (RMD's are not required for the 2020 tax year)
Starting in the 2018 tax year filing, standard deductions will doubled. This means that many taxpayers who used to itemize deductions no longer find it beneficial to do so. They found that the deductions they used to take, including for charitable giving, do not add up to as much as the new standard deduction amount ($12,000 for single and $24,000 for married couples filing jointly) Individuals age 70 ½, who are doing required minimum distributions (RMD) from their IRAs, may wish to consider making a direct transfer of charitable contribution (pledge) to the Read-Aloud program from their RMD and lower their taxable adjusted gross income. How this works: To qualify for the tax break, funds must be transferred directly from the IRA to an eligible charity by the IRA trustee. Those who meet the age requirement can transfer up to $100,000 per year directly to an eligible charity without paying income tax on the transaction. If you file a joint tax return, your spouse can also make a charitable contribution of up to $100,000, meaning couples can exclude up to $200,000 of their retirement savings from income tax if they donate it to charity. If you withdraw the money from your IRA and later donate it, it won't qualify as a tax-free qualified charitable distribution. Interested individuals should check with their tax preparer and/or legal counsel.
Other planned giving options to consider that may provide tax benefits and supporting the Read-Aloud program:
- Outright gifts of stock or securities
- Gifts under a Will
- Gifts of life insurance, trusts and retirement plans
Please consult your financial adviser or counsel.